California declares emergency in fire-ravaged counties

California Governor Gray Davis today declared states of emergency in four bushfire-ravaged counties in the state.

Davis declared emergencies in the counties of San Bernardino and Ventura and then extended the measure to Los Angeles and San Diego counties as bushfires devoured huge swathes of those areas, killing at least 11 people.

"I have declared a state of emergency for San Bernardino and Ventura counties and from 3.15pm (1015 AEDT), I will expand that to include Los Angeles and San Diego," he told local radio station KNX 1070.

"That will allow us to get federal relief, which I'm sure will be forthcoming from the president, to allow people to rebuild their homes and businesses."

At least six major fires have erupted in the region in recent days, with new blazes breaking out near the southern city of San Diego and in the Los Angeles area.

The fires have chewed through ate least 57,200 hectares, destroying around 500 homes and causing millions of dollars in damage.

The Red Cross set up 20 evacuation centres across southern California as the infernos spread, fanned by winds of up to 80 kph and soaring temperatures.

Extremely low humidity, years of low rainfall and a plague of bark beatles have left the area's forests as dry as tinder, causing trees to literally explode as the flames bite into them.